Classic Country Outdoors Host Calvin Pyle presented with Honorary Lifetime BFA membership

As previously reported, Classic Country Outdoors host Calvin Pyle has announced his plan to hang up his headphones and retire as the voice of the outdoorsman. He has been the voice of the sportsman in southwest Ohio for two decades. Pyle's unique call-in program welcomed callers with comments and questions in an hour of live broadcasting each weekend. In addition to broadcasting Pyle often spoke at outdoor shows, held fishing seminars and hosted trips to many fishing hotspots and is perhaps best known for his fishing expertise. He is a former Ohio Huskie Muskie Club Mr. Muskie Man of the Year in a tribute not only for his love of muskie fishing but his conservation efforts to the Ohio Muskie program. He is a tireless promoter of getting outdoors and enjoying all the great natural resources Ohio has to offer.

Buckeye Firearms Association (BFA) leaders were Pyle's special guests for his last concealed carry show on Nov 16, 2014. (Editor's note: Pyle's last on air show will be Nov 23, 2014). While the show did cover some current legislation and self-defense issues, it wasn't long before the BFA leaders simply hijacked his show to thank Pyle for his years of support. He was honored by Buckeye Firearms Association for his support of the Second Amendment issues in Ohio. Buckeye Firearms Association (BFA) leader and NRA Board of Directors member Linda Walker presented an Honorary Lifetime Buckeye Firearms Association membership to Pyle. Sean Maloney, BFA leader and gun rights attorney, presented a plaque from BFA honoring his service. I had the pleasure to present a proclamation from the Ohio House of Representatives sponsored by Rep. Bob Hackett, whose district includes Xenia where the radio broadcast center is located, and Rep. Cliff Rosenberger, who is Pyle's State Representative in Clinton County.

Additionally, Division of Wildlife District 5 Manager Todd Haines stopped to give his thanks to Pyle. Haines commented, "When you look at the changes with social media and different venues for communications, there are still staunch supporters who love radio. It is hard to replace someone with the knowledge and experience he has. The ability to pick up the phone and call the show is unique. It is tough and an interactive audience. It's a nice way to get immediate response to the public and get their questions answered. We can hope that someone steps in to continue the effort. There are lots of sportsmen and gun owners in southwestern Ohio who listen to radio."

Pyle summed up his career saying, "I feel good but it is time to go. I've met a lot of good people here at the station. When I started I really didn't know radio. I decided to stay around long enough to learn country music and radio. I've guess it's taken me twenty-years to do that. I really like this station. It is an amazing place with a great following. When I started the radio situation, I thought I would do some topics on hunting and fishing. I knew I wouldn't get into politics. Over the twenty-years I've learned that hunting and fishing is not a problem. The politics is the problem. It seems like that is getting worse with people attacking what we love. My fishing trip is going down to only one trip per year but I plan to make that last all summer!"

Pyle is to be congratulated on his broadcasting career, many accomplishments and the friends he has made throughout the years. The airways will never be the same without the voice of Calvin Pyle welcoming the sportsmen and women of southwest Ohio every Sunday at noon. He has left a large legacy that will be missed.

Pyle's Classic Country Outdoors airs one final time on Sunday at noon on WBZI AM 1500; WKFI AM 1090; WEDI AM1130; WBZI FM 100.3. It also is streaming live on the web at http://www.myclassiccountry.com/. Phone numbers to the station are (937) 374-3636 or 1-888-740-9444 and selection extension 4 for the studio.

Outdoor writer and hunter education instructor Larry S. Moore is a long-time volunteer leader for Buckeye Firearms Foundation and winner of the 2005 USSA Patriot Award, the 2007 League of Ohio Sportsmen/Ohio Wildlife Federation Hunter Educator of the Year and the 2010 National Wild Turkey Federation/ Women in the Outdoors Hunter Education Instructor of the Year.